System and method for conditioning a power supply transmission for supply to a load circuit

Abstract

A system and method for conditioning an alternating current (“AC”) power transmission for supply to a load circuit. In one aspect, the invention is a system comprising: a power conditioning circuit comprising a voltage surge protector for eliminating voltage spikes in the AC power transmission, an inrush current suppressor for limiting the current of the AC power transmission, and a voltage sensing circuit for monitoring a voltage level of the AC power transmission; means for electrically coupling the power conditioning circuit to a source of AC power; outlet means for electrically coupling the power conditioning circuit to a load circuit; and wherein the voltage sensing circuit is adapted so that upon detecting that the voltage level of the AC power transmission exceeds a predetermined upper limit, the AC power transmission is prohibited from reaching the outlet means.

1. A system for conditioning an alternating current (“AC”) power transmission for supply to a load circuit, the system comprising:
 a power conditioning circuit comprising a voltage surge protector for eliminating voltage spikes in the AC power transmission, a voltage sensing circuit for monitoring a voltage level of the AC power transmission, and a hysteresis circuit comprising a zener diode operably connected to a relay that controls an overvoltage hysteresis range having an upper limit and a lower limit; 
 means for electrically coupling the power conditioning circuit to a source of AC power; 
 outlet means for electrically coupling the power conditioning circuit to a load circuit; 
 the power conditioning circuit adapted so that: (i) upon the voltage sensing circuit detecting that the voltage level of the AC power transmission exceeds an upper limit of the overvoltage hysteresis range, the AC power transmission is prohibited from reaching the outlet means; and (ii) if the AC power was prohibited from reaching the outlet means as a result of the voltage sensing circuit detecting that the voltage level of the AC power transmission exceeded the upper limit of the overvoltage hysteresis range, the AC power transmission is restored to the outlet means upon the voltage sensing circuit detecting that the voltage level of the AC power transmission falls below the lower limit of the overvoltage hysteresis range. 
 
   
   
     2. The system of  claim 1  wherein the zener diode and the relay of the hysteresis circuit also controls an undervoltage hysteresis range having an upper limit and a lower limit; and wherein the power conditioning circuit further comprises one or more switches and a controller, the controller operably coupled to the voltage sensing circuit and the one or more switches, the controller adapted to (i) transmit a disconnect signal to the one or more switches upon the voltage sensing circuit detecting that the voltage level of the AC power transmission exceeds the upper limit of the overvoltage hysteresis range, thereby prohibiting the AC power transmission from reaching the outlet means; and (ii) transmit a disconnect signal to the one or more switches upon the voltage sensing circuit detecting that the voltage level of the AC power transmission falls below the lower limit of the undervoltage hysteresis range, thereby prohibiting the AC power transmission from reaching the outlet means. 
   
   
     3. The system of  claim 2  further comprising:
 an inrush current suppressor comprising the one or more switches; and 
 wherein the one or more switches are adapted to limit the current of the AC power transmission reaching the outlet means during an inrush current condition without disconnecting the AC power transmission from reaching the outlet means. 
 
   
   
     4. The system of  claim 2  wherein the power conditioning circuit further comprises a converter for creating direct current (“DC”) power from the AC power transmission, the converter operably coupled to the controller for supplying DC power to the controller. 
   
   
     5. The system of  claim 2  wherein the power conditioning circuit further comprises a remote activation unit coupled to the controller. 
   
   
     6. The system of  claim 1  wherein the power conditioning circuit further comprises a filter for reducing electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference of the AC power transmission. 
   
   
     7. The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an inrush current suppressor for limiting current of the AC power transmission; 
 wherein the voltage surge protector is coupled directly to the means for electrically coupling the power conditioning circuit to the source of AC power, thereby producing a surge protected AC power transmission; 
 wherein the inrush current suppressor receives the surge protected AC power transmission and limits the current associated with the surge protected AC power transmission, thereby producing a conditioned AC power transmission; 
 wherein the voltage sensing circuit monitors the voltage level of the surge protected AC power transmission; and 
 the outlet means receiving the conditioned AC power transmission. 
 
   
   
     8. The system of  claim 1  further comprising means for coupling the power conditioning circuit to a network thereby facilitating monitoring and/or control of the power conditioning circuit from a remote location via a network portal. 
   
   
     9. The system of  claim 1  further comprising a housing, the power conditioning circuit located within the housing. 
   
   
     10. The system of  claim 1  wherein the outlet means comprises a plurality of AC outlets. 
   
   
     11. The system of  claim 1  wherein the means for electrically coupling the power conditioning circuit to a source of AC power comprises a plug. 
   
   
     12. The system of  claim 1  wherein the means for electrically coupling the power conditioning circuit to a source of AC power comprises a jack for receiving a plug. 
   
   
     13. The system of  claim 1  wherein the power conditioning circuit further comprises a remote activation unit. 
   
   
     14. The system of  claim 1  further comprising an inrush current suppressor comprising one or more relay switches, and wherein the AC power transmission is prohibited from teaching the outlet means by manipulation of the one or more switches. 
   
   
     15. The system of  claim 1  further:
 wherein the hysteresis circuit also controls an undervoltage hysteresis range having and upper limit and a lower limit; and 
 wherein the voltage sensing circuit continues to monitor the voltage level of the AC power transmission after the AC power is prohibited from reaching the outlet means; and the power conditioning circuit further adapted so that: (ii) upon the voltage sensing circuit detecting that the voltage level of the AC power transmission is below a lower limit of the undervoltage hysteresis range, the AC power transmission is prohibited from reaching the outlet means; and (iii) if the AC power was prohibited from reaching the outlet means as a result of the voltage sensing circuit detecting that the voltage level of the AC power transmission was below the lower limit of the undervoltage hysteresis range, the AC power transmission is restored to the outlet means upon the voltage sensing circuit detecting that the voltage level of the AC power transmission rises above an upper limit of the undervoltage hysteresis range. 
 
   
   
     16. The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an inrush current suppressor comprising one or more switches; 
 means for coupling the power conditioning circuit to a network thereby facilitating monitoring and/or control of the power conditioning circuit from a remote network portal; 
 wherein one or more switches are adapted to (1) limit the current of the AC power transmission reaching the outlet means during an inrush current condition without disconnecting the AC power transmission from reaching the outlet means; and (2) prohibit the AC power transmission from reaching the outlet means upon the voltage sensing circuit detecting that the voltage level of the AC power transmission exceeds the upper limit of the overvoltage hysteresis range; and 
 a housing, the power conditioning circuit located within the housing. 
 
   
   
     17. The system of  claim 1  wherein the power conditioning circuit is adapted so that the AC power transmission is prohibited from reaching the outlet means only when the voltage sensing circuit detects the voltage level of the AC power transmission to exceed the upper limit of the overvoltage hysteresis range for a sustained period of time. 
   
   
     18. The system of  claim 17  wherein the sustained period of time is of a sufficient length so that surges and transients in the AC power transmission do not cause the AC power transmission to be prohibited from reaching the outlet means. 
   
   
     19. The system of  claim 17  wherein the sustained period of time is a discharge time for a capacitor.